The Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo, has reiterated her determination to lead a judicial service that will deliver quality justice to all people without fear or favour.
She has, therefore, asked judges and other members of the judiciary to demonstrate the core values of judicial conduct in their line of duty to win the confidence of the public.
In her message at the special annual church service at the 60th legal year in Accra last Saturday, Justice Akuffo underscored the important role sound legal training and continuous judicial education played in ensuring quality justice delivery.
"Quality justice is the product of sound legal training and continuous judicial education. We will continue to make the right investments in key areas, especially in information and communications technology (ICT), to make this goal achievable," she stressed.
This year's special church service was on the theme: "Quality Judges, Delivering Quality Justice."
Charge
Justice Akuffo urged all judges and members of the judiciary to discharge their duties diligently.
"I entreat all of us in the judiciary to reflect on our conduct in the past year and ask ourselves whether we discharged our duties according to the law and good conscience. We must not repeat the mistakes of the past but rather commit to doing our best to ensure that the administration of justice in the country is done in excellence at all levels of courts," she stressed.
Apt
The Tema North District Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. George O. Kwapong, who delivered the sermon, described the theme as apt and timely.
He said there was the need for judges to adhere strictly to the key principles of the law and balance that with personal integrity to win the public’s interest in the judicial system.
"Whether quality judgement can be provided or not depends on the human factor. But I believe that quality judgement is possible when the members of the judiciary are ready to make it possible," he said.
Hinging the sermon on the exemplary just and firm leadership Samuel provided in the Bible, Rev. Kwapong urged judges to serve with integrity and see the work they do as service to God.
The scriptures were taken from 1 Samuel 12:1-5, Ephesians 6:5-9, and Revelation 2:1-10.
Seek God
Rev. Kwapong stressed that in all circumstances, judges and lawyers ought to rely on the good counsel of God and stand by the truth, stressing that, "You must not let your principles be influenced by any other thing but the truth."
He lauded the judiciary for contributing its quota to the development of the country’s democracy and called for more efforts to be made to sustain the gains made in that direction.
Special prayers were said for the executive, legislature and judicial arms of government, as well as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and other key leaders.
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